Chapter 250
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 250
Chapter Title: The Furious One's Manifestation
Ramin Solost Muel heard a massive burst of cannon fire from not far away.
It was a faint shock, like the ground itself trembling.
"What the hell just dropped?"
Gorgota Palu, beside him, fired his pistol in rapid succession before ducking back behind cover and speaking.
"I don't think that's what we should be worrying about right now."
Ramin, Gorgota, and Owen were holding off the Fang Unit that had struck from the rear, alongside the soldiers defending Lasdasil Ruins Base.
In this place littered haphazardly with remnants of ancient civilization—white stone structures—there were plenty of spots perfect for taking cover from gunfire.
It made delaying the enemy easier, but it also made it hard to prevent them from flanking and infiltrating.
The Fang Unit was exploiting the thin defenses of the base, using their agile physiques to slip through cover without engaging, closing in steadily.
Considering most of the defending soldiers weren't adept at close-quarters combat, they had to stop the enemy from getting close at all costs.
Ramin grumbled.
"When the hell are reinforcements coming?"
Right beside him, Owen calmly puffed on his pipe even amid the chaos of war.
There was no choice if he wanted to use the Chosen One's power, but it still looked annoyingly laid-back.
Ramin said to his master.
"Aren't you being a bit too relaxed, sir?"
"Calm down. You think the enemy will just die if we're in a rush?"
It wasn't wrong.
Owen said.
"By the way, Ramin, it seems like you don't burn herbs."
"I do, but just a little at a time. Using too much power at once makes me dizzy."
With that, Ramin pulled out a thin paper rolled with herb leaves and put it in his mouth.
A spark ignited at his fingertip, and Ramin inhaled.
The rolled herb burned from the end.
"Oh, that's a good method."
"Your way's too old-school, Master."
Gorgota emptied his magazine, reloaded, and ducked back into cover.
Gorgota looked at the two and said.
"...Are you two bored or something?"
"No, Master is—"
"I've seen a bad omen."
"Omen?"
Gorgota said.
"There was a white-furred werewolf among the Fang bastards."
"No way, Ariega Robb?"
"Yes. Bad luck we have to meet again."
"No."
Owen peeked around the corner to secure his sightline and said.
"Bad luck for that bastard."
Owen drew his sword and said.
"Better tell the unit commander. If he gets too close, I'll take him on."
"Master?"
"You sure about this, elder?"
The enemy was an Apostle.
Not even Ramin, who could deflect bullets with his bizarre swordsmanship, could face an Apostle.
Owen said.
"I thought I needed to prove I'm still within Yacheon's will. This is my chance."
Gorgota looked at Owen with a complicated expression, then nodded.
"Understood. Then Palu and Ramin will support the other units."
"What about us helping here?"
"Without reinforcements, this unit alone can't hold off the enemy. Besides, I doubt an injured Ramin and I would help much."
Owen knocked the ash from his pipe and stood.
"Do that."
After Ramin and Gorgota left, Owen picked up his bow.
Looking beyond the corner, he saw Fang agents dodging the imperial firepower and darting into cover.
'Hiding behind that rock pile, huh.'
In Owen's view, guns were incredibly effective weapons.
Even a baby could wield one to fell a battle-hardened veteran.
But there were issues.
No matter who held it—a veteran or a novice—the bullet's energy was fixed by its powder charge.
Mastery meant faster situational awareness and response, not conjuring greater power from the gun itself.
Owen nocked an arrow.
'And too straight-line.'
Owen lightly twisted the arrow and released.
It flew straight at first, then curved into the unseen corner.
No sound of the arrow over the gunfire.
But a Fang agent beyond the corner collapsed, arm outstretched.
Owen confirmed it and nocked the next.
'One down first.'
"Where's Hegemonia?"
Runda answered Wisdom's question.
"Hasn't shown yet. No possession."
Krampus added.
"Yeah, matches the sanctuary's prediction. They said after this hit, Hegemonia won't try possession again."
"How much damage to Hegemonia?"
Eldar replied.
"First, a level down. Sanctuary predicts drop from Lv. 31 to max Lv. 28, and stockpiled faith down 30% from original."
Seongun had assured it, but Wisdom's challenge to Hegemonia's greater domain was fully crushed.
Hegemonia couldn't challenge a greater domain again soon.
Of course, Hegemonia's power hadn't plummeted.
An Apostle's death hurt Hegemonia, but Hegemonia's losses didn't harm the Apostles much. They drew separate faith and divinity levels.
"This puts us in a strong position."
Im Chunsik said that.
"But bro, big bro said never let your guard down."
"I know that, you punk."
Im Chunsik grumbled at Solongos.
"But yeah, that war maniac has few options left. And mentally rattled now. If he'd just brute-forced creations with the same faith instead of fancy possession tricks, it'd be better for him."
Even then, the Empire had counters.
Hegemonia's real issue: losing 30% faith that could have fueled strategy.
Total faith still favored Hegemonia, but Empire wasn't lacking overall, with many tactical wins tilting the board.
"...Yeah, we're in a good spot."
Still, Wisdom didn't claim victory yet.
First, they'd burst Hegemonia's dam, weathered the flood.
'But Hegemonia is still dangerous.'
The game Lost World—and the world's history Wisdom knew—often flipped from dominance on tiny mistakes.
No guarantee it wouldn't now.
'Nebula's away briefly. Time for Nebula-level judgment.'
Wisdom asked.
"Faith's still above Nebula's 9% demand. Sanctuary answered our question?"
As if in response, a notification popped up.
From Kyle Lak Orasun.
Players overlooking the battlefield from the Pantheon meeting turned to it.
The moment the final word registered, flames erupted on Wisdom's central screen.
The battlefield center, shining up to the airships—such flames weren't realistic.
But no player was surprised.
Common sight in Lost World's late game.
A player with divinity Lv. late 20s using Manifestation caused natural disasters on appearance alone.
AR1026 said.
"It's visible. Hegemonia's manifestation."
A massive explosion forced even soldiers and clashing Apostles to turn.
A colossal pillar of fire rose from the battlefield center, scorching up to the airships—visible across Lasdasil.
A guttural voice echoed across the battlefield.
Those engulfed in flames—Empire and Alliance soldiers alike—turned to ash, swept skyward by expanding air pressure.
From the flames emerged black-hooded figures first.
In one hand, braziers symbolizing the Furious One's unquenchable hatred; in the other, weapons of unforgettable retribution.
Warriors of the red earth, following the Furious One even in death.
Not Apostles, but heroes of battle, pledged to eternal war at the Furious One's side.
One hero broke from the march and shouted.
With those words, a "thoom" bell tolled.
Amid the marching heroes in line, a golden chariot was dragged forth.
The Furious One's attendants pulled it, unveiling golden statues of his achievements.
Bards atop the history-laden chariot praised his deeds.
In the sky, Alliance's famed knights—sixteen per group—hauled stuffed dragons on chains.
All dragons slain by the Furious One, proving even immortals kneel before god.
What emerged: massive hooves.
Shoulder height over 10 meters—a colossal black steed.
Lush mane and fetlock fur blurred its silhouette; eyes hard to spot.
But few in Empire or Alliance knew not its name.
This black horse brought misfortune by presence alone: divine beast Gaitrashi, fourth Apostle 'Kazaha'.
Kazaha's step shook the earth with dull vibration.
Flames subsided, revealing the rider atop Kazaha.
A giant matching Kazaha's bulk.
Knight in red-hot plate armor like fresh from a forge, horned helm spiking skyward, inferno blazing within.
The Furious One.
The Furious One made his 'steed' an Apostle.
Kazaha advanced, earthshaking; the Furious One surveyed from high.
Then yanked the reins hard.
Kazaha reared, front hooves pawing air.
The Furious One drew sword, thrusting mightily.
At the Furious One's roar, the frenzied Alliance army surged upon the Empire all at once.